HERBAL
EDIBLES-ANNUAL
AJOWAN,
(Carum copticum), Ayurvedic aromatic herb similar to caraway and easily grown
like parsley.
AMARANTH,BAYAM,RARE Asian cultivar with light green velvety leaf. Compact
& very slow to bolt. Absence of nutritional deficiencies has been attributed
to amaranth consumption in specific cultures. (Scroll down to lambsquarter
for more info),B
AMARANTH,VLETA,Greek heirloom was feared to be approaching extinction due
to widespread use of herbicides according to our source- Theodore Theodoropoulos
of Oakland CA. For the national dish of steamed greens known as 'horta' this
is essential.,B
AMARANTH,CHOWLAI BAHAJI, aka 'Horsetooth'(A.lividus) Rare! Bush form... India.
Distinct species with bushy habit. Described byWill Weaver in
Heirloom Vegetable Gardening. ,B
BASIL, GENOVESE,Universal favorite for Pesto and other seasonings. More compact
than other basils delivering full flavor even in limited space.,B
BASIL,CINNAMON 'Mexican Spice',Red stemmed with fragrant purple flowers. One
of the hardiest and most drought tolerant of garden basils.
BASIL,HOLY (Ocimum sanctum) aka 'Tulsi' as the woody stems are employed to
fashion ceremonial beads. Hardiest basil: known to regularly self sow even
in short season areas.,B
BASIL,PERSIAN LEMON 'Citriodora',Tall & robust with delightful aromatic
quality. RARE heirloom of the Middle East suited to a wide range of uses.,B
BASIL,THAI,Distinctive foliage and compact form with tantalizing fragrance.
Well suited to small gardens and diverse uses. Optimize location to minimize
splattering of soil from overhead irrigation.,B
BORAGE,(Borago officinalis),Sky-blue flowers are delightfully sweet for garnishing
salads or plucked from the garden. Very easy to grow- prefers part shade in
hot climates- and self sows abundantly but is controllable. A good bee attractant
and soil improving cover crop. Hairy leaves and stems deter deer.
CELERY,BRYDON'S PRIZE RED,Heirloom cutting celery. Can be enjoyed year-round
in part shade in hot climates or under cover. Rare
CELERY,GOLDEN SELF-BLANCHING, Cutting celery with distinctive golden yellow
foliage and fine flavor. Robust reseeder: our best crops result from volunteers
in sync with local climate conditions.
CELOSIA TRIGYNA, 'Silver Spinach',RARE and delicate cultivar from Australia
is related to amaranth-lambsquarter-quinoa.,LQ
CHERVIL,BRUSSELS WINTER,Licorice flavored greens resemble parsley- grown fall-winter
in mild climates. Slow & low growing- easiest in a pot or raised bed-
otherwise good weed control is essential.
CILANTRO,COMMON,Our hardiest strain for fall and winter growing. ,B
CILANTRO,SANTOH 'Slow-bolt',Select cultivar for Spring-Summer use. ,B
CURLY SALAD MALLOW, (Malva crispa),Tonic with mild flavor also has beneficial
root exudations for soil bioremediation. Distinct from common mallow 'cheeseweed'
with tender ruffly leaf.
DILL,BOUQUET,Salad quality herb for delicate aroma and texture make this the
choice for fresh use. Flowers attract beneficial insects as do all the umbelliferae:
carrot/chervil/fennel/parsley/parsnip etc.
DILL,LONG ISLAND MAMMOTH,Robust flowering seedcrop for hi-yield of seed and
tops for pickling. Prolific bloomer for beneficial insect attraction.,B
EPASOTE,(Chenopodium ambrosioides),aka 'Mexican Tea' this is widely known
as the most anti-flatulent ingredient (digestive aid) for bean cuisine (together
with sage and savory) Historically used for expelling parasites. Caution:
highly allelopathic and volunteers readily in hot dry climates so keep cut
back!,B
INDIAN GREENS,(Chenopodium murale),Slender with heavy seedset of up to 8oz
per well-spaced plant. SW Desert Native variety to 6'Tall.,B
LAMBSQUARTER:Magenta,(Chenopodium giganteum),European Heirloom now popular
in gourmet saladmix baby size or as hi-nutrition potherb (see 'horta'). Very
slow to flower so cuttings can be made all summer. Also a traditional edible
seed closely related to quinoa, with the advantage of resistance to wet weather.
Seedheads are late maturing: thrash out quickly after frost and rain and dry
under cover. Like quinoa & amaranth magnesium accumulation helps in balancing
hi-mag western soils but watch for prolific volunteers! ,B
MELOHKEYA,(Corchorus olitorius), JUTE aka 'Jews Mallow'is a distant relative
of hemp which is prized in Egyptian and Indian cuisine for its mucilaginous
texture. (Pods also eaten immature like okra). Charmingly unique foliage and
flowers! Grow like basil but taller.,B
MINERS LETTUCE ,(Montia or Claytonia perfoliata), CA Native & Gold Rush
heirloom grows broadly in shady moist rich soils & Self-sows readily.
MUSTARD SEED,Culinary White,Hi-yield of spicy oilseed for grinding. Heavy
bloom useful for bee forage, makes good green manure & hi-yield.,B
ORACH-RED,'Mountain Spinach',(Atriplex hortensis) Now a standard feature of
gourmet salad mix with velvety broad leaves and subtle color variation depending
upon the season. Tall slender cut-and-come-again plant intercrops easily and
self-sows readily... transplants ok.,B
PARSLEY,CURLED 'Apple Lodge Mix',Most cold-tolerant type for all weather and
intensive spacings, with interesting genetic variation. ,B
PURSLANE,Golden French (Portulaca oleracea sativa),Vegetable source of Omega
3. A gourmet 'weed' from Saladmix to Mexican fare with ancient Mediterranean
roots in Crete & Greece. Dynamic uses! ,B
PURSLANE,Golden Giant Selection, from robust crosses of the Golden French
with the common portulaca in our fields.,B
RED MAIDS,(Calandrinia ciliata),Attractive kin to Miner's Lettuce carpets
orchard alleys with pink blossoms. Once a staple Native California 'pinole'
seedcrop. Easy, drought tolerant & self-sows.
SHISO,RED,(Perilla frutescens), 'Beefsteak plant' Traditional JAPAN for pickling
and food coloring.
SHUNGIKU,(Garland chrysanthemum), 'Chopsuey green'CHINA. Easy! Tops used sparingly
in salads & garnishes of Daisy-like flowers in three distinct patterns.
,B
SUMMER SAVORY ,(Satureja hortensis),Aromatic herb is quintessential companion
for bean dishes. Best direct sown mid-Spring.,B
SUMMER SAVORY,MIDGET Selection,New cultivar needs more selection work to become
useful for the intensive gardening.
VIETNAMESE BALM,(Elsholtzia ciliata),RARE culinary Rau kinh gio'i is a seed
propagated aromatic of the mint family. Tender aka 'Rau mong toi'
WAKATAY,(Tagetes minuta),Bolivian native Marigold species used like cilantro
and as nematode inhibiting intercrop for potatoes etc.,B
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